Jakarta – The recent statements of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono significantly contributed to the fall in popularity of Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Yudhoyono's eldest son, said Indikator Politik Indonesia executive director Burhanuddin Muhtadi.

Agus briefly topped the polls during the campaign period but ultimately ended up in third place following Wednesday's vote. "I think Yudhoyono's involvement in the Jakarta election backfired," Burhanuddin said on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com.

Yudhoyono made headlines two weeks ago when he accused the government of illegally wire-tapping his phone conversation with Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Ma'ruf Amin.

A day before voting day, the Democratic Party chairman made another press statement accusing former Corruption Eradication Commission chairman Antasari of intentionally attacking his son's candidacy.

Burhanuddin said Yudhoyono's involvement and controversial Twitter posts had triggered a negative public reaction, and this had affected Agus' popularity. Yudhoyono's moves were seen by some as an affirmation that Agus' political career was too dependent on his father, he added.

Indikator's quick count showed that incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and his running mate Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat secured 43 percent of the vote. The Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno ticket secured 40 percent of the vote, while Agus and his running mate Sylviana Murni garnered just 17 percent. (bbs)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/02/16/sby-tainted-agus-election-chances-analyst.html